Cause I’m T.N.T I’m dynamite

T.N.T. and I’ll win that fight
Brody is now fully back in San Jose, CA and attended school today.  We’re still recovering from Brody’s visit.  Dad’s is trying to get his TV to work again as Brody disconnected Dad’s Satellite dish in order to hook up his laptop to the Internet.  An attempt which failed.  It was chalked up to a learning experience.  In the meantime, Grandpa was looking to pound Brody.  Fortunately for Brody, he was far, far away. 

T.N.T. I’m a power load
Brody’s greatest desire these days is to have his own computer.   However,  since he exercised poor choices as to what he viewed on the computer, he has no access to the Internet.  I did give him a burned out laptop to use as a learning tool.  So he could more about the inner workings of a computer.  However, Brody spends his time trying to get this shell of a  computer on the Internet.  Which would be quite a feat as the laptop has no software to work from.  When Brody gets older and a little wiser, we will restore computer privileges to him.  In the meantime, we’re just going to have to put up with Brody’s continuous tampering of our in-home wireless Internet or Satellite infrastructure.  And if we’re very, very lucky he might just learn something from the whole experience. 

T.N.T. watch me explode
The weirdest thing about teenagers that I’ve observed from a parental stand point is their ability to fully believe in themselves in one moment, and to have absolutely no idea who they are in the next moment. 

See me ride out of that sunset
For years….literally years I have tried to pass on to Brody the ability to play a musical instrument.  For what ever reason, it never stuck.  And he is the only member of our family (cousins included) who doesn’t play an instrument.  But just the other day when someone asked him what instrument he plays, I heard him say he plays the bass guitar.  ???  ???  Really???  He doesn’t even own a bass guitar. 

On your color TV screen
I think this is really a pick-up line in disguise, don’t you???  I did pencil in on my Christmas list ◊ Buy Brody a used bass guitar from eBay.  Just in case Brody really would really like to learn the bass guitar –  at least he’d have one.    Of course, it would have to be a really bad bass guitar.  Probably black, perhaps some death symbols on it.  You know the kind. 

Out for all that I can get
You’d probably understand better if I told you how many instruments I’ve bought for Brody.  There’s the practice drums and sticks, the trombone, the electric piano…  None of them suited Brody.  Oh well, what’s a mother to do. 

If you know what I mean
The other fun thing that Brody did alot of was to listen to Aerosmith.  An artist he recently discovered.  We filled Brody in that we too in high school listened to Aerosmith.  None of us were avid fans, but we were all familiar with his music.

 

Many Thanks to Aerosmith for the use of their lyrics to TNT.

“Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it… ”

Another day in Paradise…  Today, Monday, we started the day out as normal for a week day.  Dad was off to the Senior Center. 

I had heard some rumblings that Brody’s Dad may want him to return to California earlier than previously thought.  So, we began preparing Brody for his return trip.  Our visit with Brody had gone really well and we were going to miss him.  Later in the day, we mused about what to do on Brody’s last day here in Florida.  And guess what we decided??   We went to Disney’s Epcot. 

Naturally, by the time we got Epcot it was raining buckets.  Fortunately we had brought our Rain Ponchos.  As it was dinner time, we stopped for Dinner on the Boardwalk.  We ate at the “Big River” Restaurant on the Boardwalk.  We ordered some salads and burgers.  Dad and I split a burger.  Overall we really enjoyed the meal. 

The appetizer was a Cheesy Jalapeno Nachos

After dinner we debated about if we wanted to see the Fireworks show OR see the show at the American Adventure Display.  We voted for the later.  We all loved the Fireworks show, but lets face it, we had seen it at least six (6) times already.  

The American Adventure Show sounded very interesting.  And with Brody along, we thought it’d be important for his education as well. 

There was a small museum in the first part of the American Adventure Show.  There were pictures of Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, Cesar Chavez, along with a few small historical touch points behind glass.  Like Mark Twain’s’ humidor or a chair from Benjamin Franklin’s home.  In addition, on the walls you could often find great quotes from famous Americans.  Like the one (above, right) of Cesar Chavez.  I thought this is important because Cesar Chavez is from San Jose, California and we have a number of memorial statues of Mr. Chavez in San Jose.  He is well-known for his work in human rights. 

Later, the American Adventure show began.  Being Disney’s Epcot, one shouldn’t be surprised to learn that the story of America was told by these Anamatronics or Animated Figures, dressed and designed to look like actual historical figures.  The show opened with Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain marveling over the growth of the country.  And admitting that our fore fathers had no idea that the country would grow so quickly and additionally credited our constitution for the tremendous strength of our country despite the changes.  The show was very well done and enjoyable.  But I worry how much of it was understood by my son.  Our history as a country is so very important.  And I realize that many of our young people today, are not getting a good education where our history is concerned.  This is important to me…  That our future generations understand our history and the price paid for their freedom.  “Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it… ” (unknown).

Anyway, we returned home about 11 pm and were tired from the walking and most of us (present company accepted) went straight to bed.